Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The year my spark will ignite

So, I have this little spark that lives within me that desperately wants to ignite. I've decided that 2010 is the year that I will stop snuffing it out and allow my spark to shine. I hold myself back all the time and frankly, I'm sick of it. Why not just go for it and be the absolute best person that I can be? Why not let myself be skinny? Why not finally succumb to my creativity and finish my damn novel. Why not grab my camera and just start taking pictures? What is it that has been holding me back? Me.

This goes beyond a resolution, this is a paradigm shift. I'm ready now to do all of the things that I have been too afraid to do. Things like...

*Let my baby "cry it out" so that he can actually learn to fall asleep on his own and I will get a good night's sleep for the first time in almost a year. I will still get to snuggle with him and he will still love me and know that I love him and we both be well rested and much happier. Case closed.

*Join Weight Watchers, count up my damn points, get off my fat ass and work out. I have lost and gained back the same 40 pounds three times in the last 15 years. It doesn't matter that I've had two kids. I need to learn to enjoy losing weight as much as I love to gain it. I love food and I can still love food but in moderation.

*Grow my hair out. I chopped it off in a hormonal tizzy and I miss my long curls so much. So, I will purchase headbands, barrettes, and cute hats. I will pull my hair into tiny pigtails the moment my hair can squeeze into a rubber band and I will get my long hair back.

*Write my novel. I have the entire story outlined. The whole thing is stuck in my head. I can't type the words fast enough. I am my own worst critic. I question myself and it's not serving me well to hold myself back anymore. So, I will write for 20 minutes everyday until I have my first draft done. I will edit and revise and edit again. I will send it off, I will write query letters, and I will get published. My book will be in bookstores. People will want to read it.

*I will finally allow myself to delve into photography. I've been timid and insecure about being an artist for too long. I have a vision and I will pick up my camera and I will capture all that is in my mind and I won't be afraid to put my creativity in a frame and hang it on the wall for the world to see.

This little spark will shine.

25 comments:

Erin Bennett Jenkins said...

Do it up!!

Lee said...

You go Girl!

KristinFilut said...

You can do it, Leigh!!!!

Andrea said...

I love this list. Good luck reaching each and every goal!

Rosy Revolver said...

So inspiring, Leigh! Rock on! Can't wait to see it all happen, and have no doubts it will. Keep laughing!

Unknown said...

It helps thatyou have awesome bloggies who totally support and love you.. We are your cheerleaders here so if ya need us just holler..

Kimberly said...

I've been having familiar thoughts as of late. Not do to the new year, but it just happend to time that way. I need to get up and just do it!! Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one out here that needs my spark to shine!!

Tami G said...

You go girl!!!!!
and while ur at it - GET YOUR NOSE PIERCED ;-)

VandyJ said...

Good for you! You can do it!

Tracie Nall said...

Awesome!!! I have been having the same feelings this new year season. Here is to sparks that become brightly burning fires!! You can do it! (and I will absolutely read any book you write!)

Lisa said...

I love reading people's NYRs! You want to write a novel; another blogger I read wants to try stand-up...I think this is gonna be a good year! People are going to do amazing things!

Good luck! :)

MamaOtwins+1 said...

You can do all of it - and you can do it all this year! We will all be here for every struggle and every triumph - we believe in you!

Amy said...

Good for you. I love that you are having a paradigm shift. I could ue one too but I am have a bit of a motivation problem lately.

Unknown said...

You can do it, Leigh!
(p.s. are you doing NoMoSlackMo? I am trying, but am already behind, but it's okay)

As for cry it out---you deserve a good night's sleep and do does the kid. You will both be so much better for it. It is hard, but if I can do with with twins, anyone can do it. I swear. Consistency is key and within a few nights it will be done. Let me know if you want to talk/vent about it.

I have some stubborn pounds to lose as well. I caught a stomach bug Sunday night which got me off to a great (albeit unintentional) start, so I need to not lose the momentum. LOL!

You are so creative. I know you can do this, easy peasy!

Meandering Mel said...

Good for you! I'm trying to do something similar, and I hope we both can stick to it. :) Good luck :)

Working Mommy said...

I can't wait to see those pictures you take ;)

On another note...I am planning a course at one of my conferences called "The Sky Is Not The Limit - You Are"...I'll be sure to send you some notes :)

~WM

Anonymous said...

great list and good luck! i too have 40 extra pounds, want my hair back, and need to go full force into querying (sp?) agents for my first novel and finishing my second.

and cheers to getting some sleep--my six month old seems to find it highly unnecessary.

Existential Waitress said...

Go for it! I like this idea of a paradigm shift. I hold myslef back all the time too b/c I'm afraid of failure. I'm really working on this b/c I'm so much happier when I do just go for it. Who cares if I fail - I'd rather being living life to its fullest.

Yankee Girl said...

Sounds a lot like my resolutions. Good luck and don't give up!

Ducky said...

I think I'm with on all of them except growing my hair out. Total distaster for me...won't ever be long again.

Can't wait to see those curls!

Traci said...

Awesome! Looks like you've got quite a few people cheering ya on! Tell that inner critic to "shut it"!

June said...

Feather pillows wrap around the head real good to cover the sound of crying!

Meg said...

You can do it!! If you need Weight Watchers support, I'm around. I'm doing it myself now!

Looking forward to seeing your spark shine brighter and brighter!

Richard said...

Go for it! You only live once and the time is now!

Joy said...

Yeah! You can do it!!